Changing Media Environment

“If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack.” – Winston Churchill

Media affects almost all aspects of contemporary life and it is inherent in defining key social and cultural processes that affect the fundamental choices of society. In a time when technology and innovation are being developed at an ever-increasing speed and impinge upon society at large, it is important to assess how to inform the public about the risks and benefits of new technologies and how to inform policy makers about societal evolutions and opinions.

Given the central role of media in our daily lives and the changing media environment of the past decades, it is timely to assess what hurdles need to be overcome when communicating about research and innovation with the public. What is the role of media? Can new, interactive media better support communication with society about new technologies and innovation?